Unisteer Rack and Pinion Steering

Dennis and I just fabricated a rack and pinion system that we copied from Dave (55crownvic) and Dave (Dave Boyer) a couple months ago and I currently have it bolted in my 1973 project Maverick (The Mav). The rack is from a 1992 Chevrolet Cavalier and fits but it limits your exhaust choices and requires more modification to your steering column and the linkage from the column to the rack than the Unisteer system. Unisteer modifies their rack to give it more turning radius, relocates the hose connections/tie-rod attachment location and also fits tight to the oil pan for better ground clearance. Unisteer says that the system which will include the rack, pump, tie-rods, hoses, and all the hardware/brackets will cost about $1,600. It is going to be real similar to the Mustang system they sell. Two Guys Garage just installed a Unisteer sytem on a 1969 Mustang on a recent episode and the August 2013 edition of Popular Hot Rodding had an article on how to install a Unisteer system on a 1967 Mustang. It is a real simple bolt on design that fits well, the real test is when I pick up the car to feel how it steers, I will let everyone know.

 

HMMMM, $1600 bucks, by the time you add this and that, maybe some steering column mods, you are pretty close to 2K, guess that answers that.

This sounds like a sweet setup for a guy that cant do the work himself, as for me I will try and do it myself and save sum bucks, plus I have done six of these rack installs so far and all have worked great, for my latest mav, I have the rack installed and there is plenty of clearance for the Hedman long tube headers(see my pics)

 

Dave, saw your pics. It looks great!! I have Hooker headers on my car which will not fit and either will the Headmans because my rack sits about 1 1/4" further back to the rear of the car than yours does because we used the original Maverick center link. I priced shortys and they are about $500 plus another $300-$400 to redo an H-pipe. I have made two of the racks you make and know how much work, time and money is involved so having the option of buying a bolt on system is a good thing.

 

$1600 includes the steering column mods. I am going to add up all the money I have tied up in building my own system and compare but I have to take into consideration the benefits of the Unisteer system over your custom system. Not that your custom system is bad, it is very cool and an awesome idea that works well.

 

Any discussion regarding a manual rack setup by unisteer? Other than potential lower costs, is there any disadvantage going from manual steering box to manual rack? (give me a kick if Im going to far off topic guys)

 

what is the steering ratio for the the unisteer rack? and the caviler rack?

 

From the factory, they a 2 3/4 or 2 1/2 turns lock to lock.

 

If the price is comparable to what I see listed for 60-65 Comet/Falcon; I am interested. I was a stone-throw frm ordering Borgesen kit, but will hold off to see what the deal is on this setup.

 

Nothing since the end of June ? Still watching

 

I'm certain the Flaming River Mustang Kit works well with the stock K-member, but it damn sure didn't with the Maximum Motorsports K-member.

Started grinding on the MM K-m to try and make it fit, then thought, "What am I gaining in weakening the K-m?"

Pulled it all off and sold it for a loss.

What really pissed me off is the fact that I called Flaming River and specifically inquired concerning fitment issues with MM K-m and was assured it was good to go. I trusted them in that they knew what they were talking about, purchased this, had it sent to Germany and discovered that Flaming River was full of SCHNIT! Called them back and they had no idea what I was talking about!

What this company cost me for the product and shipping through their deception, I'll never purchase from them again.

 

I don't know what this means...with R&C there was no "new frame" welded in.

 

Something is welded in, whatever you want to call it.

 

haha nice, I've been thinking about doing the same thing since i'm not too far away and it beating spending it on an RRS setup

might as well spring up the extra cash for the improved Electra steer

btw, is your car factory manual steering or power steering? guess I read your factory power.

so, with this rack , i'd have to get rid of my HD bellybar :-(

but all in all for virtually all GM platforms, Uni-steer is the only company that has correct geometry and not some cobbled "hottrod rack" .which is the main reason 99% of GM guys just stick with a LEE box I just wish they'd make one with stock geometry so I could use the rack and still use ats spindles on my buick without haveing double the corrected geometry which is a bad thing..

something to consider for us maverick when doing drop spindles or shelby drops or drop shafts in in A-arm in conjunction with a R&P kit

 

From talking with Nick, and Nick talking to Unisteer, they've spent some time on getting the turning radius right, which is good to hear, and they've also come up with the brackets to mount the correct power steering pump for the rack. Nick should have some updates to post soon.

 

so nothing is welded in with the unisteer rack?